Consumers' Federation of Australia

19 September , 2019

Sale of consumer credit insurance by customer owned banking Code subscribers

Scrutiny of add-on insurance products by consumers, regulators and government has increased recently, with a particular focus on the sale of consumer credit insurance (CCI). Insurers and third-party sellers have been criticised for offering poor-quality products, pressure selling and selling to consumers who were unaware they were consenting to purchase CCI. In light of these…

16 September , 2019

Consumer Connections Magazine out now

Tasmania’s building and consumer regulator, Consumer, Building and Occupational Services, has released Edition 2 of its Consumer Connections Magazine. As well as providing advice specific to Tasmanians applying for building approvals and lodging complaints against service providers, the magazine includes great tips for all consumers. Safety in the home, how to choose a suitable NBN…

13 September , 2019

Review finds customer loyalty schemes need transparency and fairness

The ACCC has released its Customer loyalty schemes draft report for public comment. The report outlines the ACCC’s draft findings and recommendations following research and targeted consultation earlier this year. The review focussed on competition and consumer issues arising from customer loyalty schemes. There are two major findings covered in the draft report that are…

12 September , 2019

Upcoming webinar: Costing customer wait times

CFA’s quarterly webinar series will continue on Wednesday 25th September 2-3pm with the topic ‘Costing Customer Wait Times’. The webinar will be hosted by Gareth Downing and Tara Stockwell from Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN). Gareth and Tara will discuss the recent research into how customer wait times can be costed across sectors and why minimising this time will promote the efficient functioning…

12 September , 2019

Parents demand Canberra act on unsafe products

An analysis of CHOICE test data has found key products designed for children still pose a risk as doctors, industry, experts and parents converged on Canberra on Wednesday to demand action. The data shows: Portable cots (60 tested from 2011–2018*): 98% or 59 failed. Strollers (163 tested from 2012–2019): 83% or 136 failed. Cots (173…

4 September , 2019

Standard on drinking water treatment units open for public comment

Tap water is one of our most important and basic necessities. Most Australians don’t have to worry about getting sick from the water they’re supplied with. The downside of ensuring safe drinking water is the lingering taste and smell of disinfectant, causing many people to opt for a water filtering system (read more here). Water treatment…

3 September , 2019

Australians paying millions too much for foreign currency services

Australian consumers are paying too much for foreign currency conversion (FX) services because of confusing pricing and a lack of robust competition, a new ACCC report has found. The final report of the ACCC’s Foreign Currency Conversion Services Inquiry highlights important competition and consumer issues affecting individuals and small businesses who use international money transfers (IMTs), foreign…

2 September , 2019

CFA asks Federal Government to release its plans for unit pricing regulation

CFA has written to the federal Minister for Consumer Affairs, Michael Sukkar MP, asking him to release the government’s plans for the regulations that require large supermarkets to provide shoppers with the unit price of pre-packaged grocery products. The current regulations, which commenced on 1 July 2009, will sunset on 1 October 2019 unless renewed…

2 September , 2019

Consumer Affairs Forum meets to discuss consumer protection and fair trading

On Friday August 30, Commonwealth, State, Territory and New Zealand Ministers responsible for fair trading and consumer protection met to consider recent and future developments in consumer affairs. The meeting included discussion of consumer guarantees, unfair contract terms, ticket reselling, financial consumer protection and Australia’s product safety framework. Below are the main outcomes of the…

30 August , 2019

ACCC recommends greater protection for consumers online

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) last month released the final report of its Digital Platforms Inquiry. The report makes 23 recommendations for reform to the competition law, consumer protection practices, privacy law and media regulation that govern digital platforms. The digital platforms covered by the inquiry are search engines, social media platforms and digital…

28 August , 2019

CFA joins the Stop the Debt Trap Alliance

Consumers’ Federation of Australia has joined a group of financial experts, community advocates, and service providers determined to see stronger laws implemented to protect Australians from irresponsible lenders. The Alliance’s statement: To the Australian Government: Every day our organisations deal with Australians who have been trapped in crippling debt due to high-cost fast loans and…

27 August , 2019

Austroads invites responses to Motorised Mobility Devices Discussion Paper

Austroads, the peak organisation of Australian road transport and traffic agencies, has released a Discussion Paper on Motorised Mobility Devices (MMDs). The paper explores establishing a National Registration and Licencing Scheme and Technical Specification for MMDs, also known as powered wheelchairs or mobility scooters. The Austroads Discussion Paper AP-C107-19 makes a number of recommendations and…